GOSPEL BINDING

GOSPEL BINDING

H 165mm / L 120mm

Work by carver Malkhas Hagop M., from the town of Caesarea. This bossed and chiselled binding once contained a gospel book which has disappeared. The inscription on the spine is framed by floral and geometrical patterns.
At the top, a representation of the mystical Lamb carrying the cross and the banner of Christianity recalls the sacrifice of Christ, also pictured on the binding’s front cover, with the representation of the Last Supper.
On two other bindings made in the city of Caesarea at the same time, God holding a scroll replaces the Mystic Lamb (see La Magie de l’Ecrit p.236, catalogue edited by Claude Mutafian, Editions Somogy, Paris 2007).
As in many cases, both in the copying of manuscripts and in the engraving of texts, there are spelling mistakes. Classical Armenian is mixed with medieval language, which, combined with the copyist’s imaginativeness, makes these texts difficult to read.
Inscription on the back in 12 lines:
“”I had this gospel adorned in silver/Thanks to justly acquired revenues,/Made in the city of Caesarea,/by the unworthy hands of goldsmith/Malkhas Hagop M.(mahtesi /the pilgrim),/in the Armenian date of/1109 (1660), to always remember /our saviour Jesus Christ/and give thanks to him.””
Which can be read thus:
Avetaran ays ari-Al /halal entchis iwr/Zardaretsi artzats /Kesaria kaghakin /Anarjan dzerok /ar-tzatakortz Malkhas-In /m. Hagop tivn ha /Yots R.TJ.T.vasn /Hicheloutian am-/Menaynav gohan- al/ prktchin mer(o)y/y(isous)i k(risto)si